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Caliper Drag with New Nissin's

1383 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  ukzx10r
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to solve caliper drag, on the new (used) Nissin Calipers i installed on my Gen2 street bike only?

The Facts

-With the stock Tokico's i could spin the wheel at least 3-3.5 full turns with a good push.
-Galfer lines
-With the new Nissin's i'm lucky to get a full rotation and a half
-Came from a 2009 Zx-6r, perfect shape with stock pads.
-I followed the following procedure that i've done a couple of times at it always works great.

How To Clean Calipers and cure sticky pistons or brake rubbing - Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums Gixxer.com (I'm sorry, for sending you to a gixxer forum, please dont ban me :| )

-The pistons do side really easy back into the bores when i was cleaning them. Its don't appear that a piston is stuck.
-The drag seems to be coming from both side as i've tested one at a time
-I removed the anti rattle clips as well
-Everything seems to be bled properly and the lever is rock solid, the lever is not getting hung up.

Will this amount of drag cause the brakes to over heat? Its seems to lose power over long hard stopping distance (the brakes start to feel wooden).

What type of pads would you recommend for street use only? I've had EBC HH in the past and don't like them.

I have to say, as it is, its still night and day over the stock garbage. What a great upgrade..

Thanks is advance
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Unfortunately, I don't think you'll be able to get the Nissin's to stop dragging. I went through two different sets of Nissin Monoblock's from the 636 and after a thorough cleaning they would still drag. I started checking some of the ZX6's at the shop and they all dragged on the pads, even with under 500 miles of use.

The dragging really affected the traction control on my Gen 4. Every time I would hit the straightaways at the track and the front would come up, the traction control would cut power instantly and cause my bike to basically pogo stick down the straights.

After that I gave up and put my stock Tokico calipers back on with some Vesrah pads. That's what I should have done in the first place.
I have Nissin of a 2010 ZZR14 on my Gen3 & dont have any problems what so ever are the ZX6 & ZZR14 the same or different Nissiens?
Are you attaching the caliper properly to the fork? Sounds like the calipers aren't aligned properly.

With loose screws of the calipers, spin the wheel a couple of times, squeeze the brakelever and while keeping the lever squeezed (!) tighten the bolts of the calipers. Either tighten both calipers at the "same squeeze", or let go of the lever after tightening the first caliper, spin the wheel again, squeeze again and while squeezing tighten the bolts of the other caliper. If this doesn't solve it, it's either the axle is not aligned properly, bearings are out of limits (doubtful), or the pistons are running rough, but you already checked the last one.

So, make sure the calipers are aligned. I also have the exact same calipers, and my wheel can turn several full turns without issue. But, if calipers aren't aligned properly you won't even make a half turn.
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Are you attaching the caliper properly to the fork? Sounds like the calipers aren't aligned properly.

With loose screws of the calipers, spin the wheel a couple of times, squeeze the brakelever and while keeping the lever squeezed (!) tighten the bolts of the calipers. Either tighten both calipers at the "same squeeze", or let go of the lever after tightening the first caliper, spin the wheel again, squeeze again and while squeezing tighten the bolts of the other caliper. If this doesn't solve it, it's either the axle is not aligned properly, bearings are out of limits (doubtful), or the pistons are running rough, but you already checked the last one.

So, make sure the calipers are aligned. I also have the exact same calipers, and my wheel can turn several full turns without issue. But, if calipers aren't aligned properly you won't even make a half turn.

What he said. The nissans kind of have a wooden feel even when working properly. The only thing not mentioned is check to make sure you don't have to much fluid in the systen that could cause the pistons to not retract all the way. I liked the nissans on my Gen 1 they have more power just not as good a feel. So I went with brembo. :).
Are you attaching the caliper properly to the fork? Sounds like the calipers aren't aligned properly.

With loose screws of the calipers, spin the wheel a couple of times, squeeze the brakelever and while keeping the lever squeezed (!) tighten the bolts of the calipers. Either tighten both calipers at the "same squeeze", or let go of the lever after tightening the first caliper, spin the wheel again, squeeze again and while squeezing tighten the bolts of the other caliper. If this doesn't solve it, it's either the axle is not aligned properly, bearings are out of limits (doubtful), or the pistons are running rough, but you already checked the last one.

So, make sure the calipers are aligned. I also have the exact same calipers, and my wheel can turn several full turns without issue. But, if calipers aren't aligned properly you won't even make a half turn.
Thank you. I did actually have the level squeezed when i tightened the caliper bolts but i think i'll try it again. While i'm at it maybe i'll check the axle first though.

Cheers,
What he said. The nissans kind of have a wooden feel even when working properly. The only thing not mentioned is check to make sure you don't have to much fluid in the systen that could cause the pistons to not retract all the way. I liked the nissans on my Gen 1 they have more power just not as good a feel. So I went with brembo. :).

Great idea, i hadn't thought of that.
The fluid res is only about 1/3 full. I'll take a little more out while i'll readjusting everything.

Thank you
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Different pads have different corseness and when i fitted sbs pads in mine they dragged like crazy.
My current r1m calipers drag a little and they were brand new.
One other cause on older calipers is swollen seals.
Some fluid reacts with the seals and can make them swell a tad.
Seals are very dear though.
Personally a new gen4 with all standard components has great breaking performance. I only changed mine for looks
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